Being a caregiver is very stressful, because you suddenly have to juggle your own schedule to find time for everything extra you now have to do. By using OnTimeRx phone, SMS/text, or email reminders, you can significantly reduce that level of stress.
With no more clock watching, you can relax, knowing that OnTimeRx will deliver reminders to you or your loved one on a home phone or cell phone - whenever and wherever you want - on any schedule you need.
Use reminder calls when it's time to:
Take medications
Eat a meal or a snack
Order prescription refills
Wake up from a daily nap
Get ready for an appointment or other activity
Check-in daily and let someone know you care.
There is no obligation to test all features of the OnTimeRx Reminder Service. The Free Trial provides ten (10) free reminders so you can try all three types if you want. We offer a variety of plans to fit any need. Simply click "Subscribe Today" to view our pricing. (Don't worry, we won't ask for any credit card information until you decide to become a subscriber.)
If you have a smartphone, you can also try one of our OnTimeRx software apps. Select the type of device and download the 30-day free trial. No obligation. Call 866-944-8966 for more information.
Here's some excellent advice from my favorite organization... APhA.
Travel Smart: Tips From Your Pharmacist to Know Before You Go
APhA Urges Consumers to Practice Safe Medication Use when Traveling
WASHINGTON, DC – Traveling, whether for business or pleasure, alters our daily routine and disrupts our schedule including our health care habits like taking medication. As the height of the holiday travel season approaches, the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) urges consumers to practice safe medication use when traveling. Here are some tips you should know before you go:
Carry your personal medication record with you, which should include both prescription and over-the-counter medications. This is a list of your medications, how you take them, and why—a good resource to have on hand when you visit any healthcare provider, to see your pharmacist and when you travel. If you are unexpectedly admitted into a hospital, or must see a healthcare provider while traveling, the list can help them understand your current treatments. If you are unsure why you are taking a medication, consult your healthcare provider and pharmacist for clarification. To download a personal medication list www.pharmacist.com/pmr.
NOTE: You can also print your Medications List from OnTimeRx desktop software.
Have a plan for adjusting your medication regimen. Travel may require you to adjust your medication regimen, or when you take your medication, for time and routine changes. If you are traveling across the country and would normally take a medication twice a day, for example, you may need to adjust that schedule to take your medications approximately twelve hours apart—which may be earlier or later than your first bedtime or morning on another coast. Ask your pharmacist about how to alter your schedule to fit your health-care needs.
Keep your medications in your carry-on bag. While many items can be replaced easily, replacing medications can be challenging. Keeping your medications with you ensures immediate access in case of an unexpected event like lost or stolen luggage. Check with your airline or TSA for the forms of medications you can take: liquids in certain quantities may be prohibited on airplanes. Remember, you can always ask your pharmacist about pouring liquid medication into smaller bottles for your travel.
Store your medications in their original labeled containers and bring more than you expect to use during your travels. Extended stays can upset your medication regimen. Being prepared helps ensure safe and effective medication use.
Ask your pharmacist if there are any foods or beverages that conflict with your medicines. You may be more inclined to eat unfamiliar foods when traveling to foreign countries or new cities.
Be careful or avoid drinking alcohol, especially when flying or visiting cities in higher altitudes. Alcohol can interact with many prescription and over-the-counter medicines.
Talk to your pharmacist. He or she can help you understand how to manage your drug therapy whether at home or away.
Practice good hygiene, get rest and eat well. Frequent hand-washing/cleansing and coughing /sneezing within your sleeve or a tissue will protect you and others. In addition, try not to overdo it and not get run down, eat right, and drink plenty of water (and depending upon the location you may need to use bottled water) are good practices that can reduce your risk of getting sick.
Pack the Basics
Wise travelers assemble a few basics before heading out the door. Pain and fever reducing medication, antihistamine tablets, band aids, triple antibiotic ointment, hand sanitizer, cough syrup, lozenges, a thermometer, sunscreen, upset stomach and anti-diarrhea medicine are the basics, but depending on your destination, you may want to pack additional items. Talk to your pharmacist to see what other products may be best for you to take along.
Remember, you may take a holiday, but your illnesses do not. They travel with you. Managing your health starts with you, but your pharmacist is an important member of the health-care team. Pharmacists are the medication experts and can help patients with questions about their prescription and over the counter medications Ask questions about your medications—get answers.
About the American Pharmacists Association (APhA)
The American Pharmacists Association, founded in 1852 as the American Pharmaceutical Association, represents more than 62,000 practicing pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, student pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and others interested in advancing the profession. APhA, dedicated to helping all pharmacists improve medication use and advance patient care, is the first-established and largest association of pharmacists in the United States. APhA members provide care in all practice settings, including community pharmacies, health systems, long-term care facilities, managed care organizations, hospice settings, and the uniformed services.
A new software customer asked about a User Manual for OnTimeRx-BlackBerry, the latest addition to our suite of OnTimeRx software programs.
TIPS are scattered throughout the BB software to explain how to use all the features on each screen; however, posting the TIPS and Help copy on this blog might help others.
OnTimeRx-BlackBerry v1.1
Help Button:
General Instructions
When an Alarm goes off:
• Read the screen.
• Do what the screen says.
• Click on the Details button, if displayed, to view more details.
• Click YES to record the dose or event on the Log.
• Click Wait 15 or Wait 30 to silence snooze alarms.
• Click NO - if dose was intentionally not taken.
• Repeat above steps for all drugs or events scheduled at this time.
• Check the Days Supply on each drug alarm screen.to avoid running out.
• When more than one drug is scheduled at the same alarm time, each Drug Name will display in a different color on the alarm screens.
Descriptions of Features and Buttons:
Tips on Menu button – Home screen (Settings/Tips/Registration)
Preference Settings
Alarm Sounds – Select any alarm sound you prefer Check or uncheck Vibrate mode
Set a Start of Day Time – your usual first dose of the day.
Set an End of Day Time – your last dose of the day This information will be preset on New Drug records.
Change the Color Option if a 'theme' makes the OnTimeRx buttons difficult to read.
Security PIN feature protects your data and prevents it from being viewed by others.Select a PIN number you can remember.It must be entered to view details on each alarm screen.
Alarm Mute - Home screen
This feature is used to temporarily silence all audible OTRx alerts for a movie, play, or meeting.Alarm Mute is like the Mute function on a VCR Remote.
When Mute is OFF (default), you will hear audible alarm sounds.
When Mute is ON or enabled, the sounds are muted. Your alarm screens will display with a single vibrate alert. • Tap the Main screen Alarm Mute dropdown and select 1 hr, 2hr, or 3 hr.
• The alarms will automatically restart at the end of that time period.
• Alarm Mute - ON will silence all OTRx alarms indefinitely and must be restarted manually.(not normally recommended).
• Select Alarm Mute - OFF to manually restart the alarm sequence.
• Tap the Menu button to display TIPS or Information on any screen.
MyMeds button -.TIPS
My Meds Drug List -
MyMeds is a list of all Rx and OTC drug records in OnTimeRx.
Routine Drug Names are in Bold font and have alarms set.
Drug Names in regular font are PRN and do not have alarms set.These are taken “as needed” (pain meds) or are no longer needed (antibiotics).
Drug names are arranged in alphabetical order. The cursor can be moved to any drug name instantly by typing the first letter of the drug name on the keypad. The list will auto-scroll to the first drug name that starts with that letter.
HINT –To help prevent future adverse reactions, keep the drug records that are no longer in use, but add ZZZ- to any Drug Name that has been discontinued. (ZZZ-Antimycin) These will move to the bottom of MyMeds list.It is good to add a Note with the date and the reason why it was stopped. (allergic reaction-rash).
Tips: (On Menu button from MyMeds or PillTime)
New Drug Entry Screen
This information can be found on your Rx labels & patient info leaflets for Rx (prescription) & OTC (over-the-counter) products.
1. Enter full Drug Name & Strength
2. Enter the Quantity per dose. The default quantity is “1”. NOTE:
For fractional doses (½ or ¼ tablet), 2 separate quantity options are used.
• Click the first quantity dropdown and select 0 for less than 1
• Scroll to the second dropdown and select ½ or ¼
• For 1-1/2 teaspoonful – scroll past the 1 and select ½ to display 1-1/2
3. Select a Frequency
The default is once/day (default) Enter a number to set up to 6x/day
4. Set Dose Time/s
• Move cursor to Time box. 'Not Set' (default)
• Click Enter key or a number to access the Set Dose Time screen.
5. Set a Repeat
• Click Repeat button to set or change dosing schedule.
• Default is “Daily” Repeat with 'No End Date’ – for ongoing doses.
• Select Weekly, Monthly, or Yearly repeats when appropriate
• Select None - for one-time doses or events
• Start Date is today’s date (default).
• Click Enter on date field to change Start date.
• For a specific End Date, move to 'No End Date’ - click Enter key
• Set End Date and click Done.
6. Click Back button to SaveData on MyMeds list
To Include Additional Information (optional):
• Add descriptive terms for In: - With: - and For: data fields.
• Enter a letter to select from a dropdown list of terms or edit the list.
You can customize any Dropdown list:
• Scroll to a field and enter a letter to display a item(m = mouth).
• Click trackball to display full list
• Click the appropriate term to select.
• Click “Edit” to access Edit Window
• Click Menu button to add New or Rename items on lists.
• Select Rx (default) or OTC box to specify the category of medication.
• Select Routine (default) or PRN (as needed) to specify the type of dose.
• Click the Back button to Save - when finished.
To add Pill Count or More Detailed Information (optional):
• Click 'Supply' button to enter current Pill Count. Your Remaining Days supply will display on each Alarm screen.
• Click 'More' to enter other details on each drug.
• If Directions field has text, a Details button displays on Alarm Screens.
• Click 'Details' button to access the Details before taking a dose.
• Tap 'Notes' button to add other information - such as: color, shape and markings on generic med, reason for discontinuing a drug, etc.
• Click Back button to SaveData on MyMeds list
To Edit Drug information
• Select a Drug from MyMeds list or PillTime -click Menu button –Edit.
To Take a Dose Early
• Use Take Now feature to log doses up to 1 hour early.
• Highlight a Drug Name in PillTime – click Menu button – ‘Take Now’.
• Highlight the Drug Name – click Menu – Edit to view drug record
• Click 'Take Now' button to take a Routine dose up to 1 hour early.
• Click 'Take Now' button to take PRN or As Needed meds.
To Delete a Drug from MyMeds List
• Select Drug Name to be Deleted
• Click Menu button and select 'Delete'. Click Yes to Verify. It’s GONE!
For Best Results: Enter complete information for each new drug when adding it to MyMeds list.Additional information can always be added later, if preferred.
PillTime Button:
Bold Items on the PillTime schedule are the next doses to be taken.
More than one drug may be scheduled at the same time.
The Drug Names will display on different color bars on alarm screens to differentiate each drug as it is logged.
If it is not convenient to log the doses when the alarm sounds, scroll to the Wait 15 or Wait 30 buttons to delay the alarms for 15 or 30 min.
Snooze alarms will sound every 10 minutes for 30 minutes if the doses are ignored or not logged.
Standard dosing rules consider a dose is “on time” if taken 1 hour before or 1 hour after the scheduled dose time.Dosing schedules can always be changed to meet the user’s needs.
ToDo Button:
ToDo List –
ToDo List is a complete list of your OnTimeRx scheduled ToDo events.These ToDo events may or may not be health-related.You can Log these events if you choose to.
Items in Bold have alarms set for one time or recurring event reminders.
Items in regular font display [DateTime Not set] or [DateTime Exp].These have no alarms currently set or the event has expired.
Highlight any item and click Menu button to Edit or Delete it.
Scroll to any field and click Enter key to access and change the data.
You can reactivate an expired or not set ToDo.Simply highlight the ToDo and click Menu to Edit.Be sure to update both the start/end dates and time. Save your changes.
• To enter a New ToDo event - Click Menu – New
• Enter a Brief description of ToDo event.
• Scroll to 'Not Set' (time box) – Click Enter key or a number to enter date/time.
• Set alarm time
• Scroll up to change Start Date if other than today.
• Tap Repeat - to select interval for recurring event
• Select end date, if needed. [OK] then [Done].
• Add Notes for more details (e.g. Insulin sliding scale, etc.) [Done].
• The 'Do Now' button allows the event to be logged up to 1 hour early.
NOTE: To Delete a ToDo Entry:
• Highlight the ToDo to be deleted. Click Menu - Delete
• Confirm 'Delete ToDo' - it's GONE!
911 Info Button:
IN CASE of EMERGENCY: Include “See OnTimeRx 911 Data” in your I.C.E. (In Case of Emergency) Contact Record.Your 911 information can save precious time in case you cannot speak or think clearly to answer questions.
• Contact Support@ontimerx.com for a work-around to enter your 911 data as blocks of text.
• Click the 911 Info button and scroll to review or display your personal medical data
• Click Menu – Edit 911 to enter or change any of your data.
• List only the most important data, such as: Allergies, Next of Kin, Doctors names and phone numbers, etc.
• Keep this 911 data current with dates of previous hospital stays, procedures and other health-related activities.
• Sensitive information may be kept from view by checking the Private box. • Protected data can be accessed at the owner's discretion through the Edit 911 function.
.
Log Button:
The Log displays a Y, N, M, or C for each event.
Y = Yes - drug taken or task completed.
N = No - event cancelled or purposely not done.
M = Missed - no response to the alarm.
C = Changed – to correct a 'missed' or a No response.
Making Log Corrections: If a dose or event was not logged properly, limited changes can be made to correct the Log.The Compliance rate and Days Supply are automatically adjusted.
Select the incorrect Log entry and click Menu button to edit the Log Detail.Missed Log events displaying 'M' can be changed to 'C'.If doses or events were logged as 'No' in error but were taken or done, the 'N' can be changed to 'C'.Do NOT change the 'M' or 'N', if a dose or event was actually missed.
Transfer button:
BlackBerry Data Transfer function is not currently available.
The following “copy and paste” work-around will facilitate loading extensive 911 Information into OnTimeRx on your Blackberry device. For additional assistance, contact: Support@OnTimeRx.com
A 30-day free trial version of OnTimeRx-Windows software is available for download from: www.OnTimeRx.com All of the suggested 911 categories are listed in the OnTimeRx-Windows desktop program. Data can be entered on a Windows XP or Vista computer utilizing this program. Copy the data into an email message and send it to yourself. Open the email on your BlackBerry device. Simply copy each section from the email message and select 911 Info – click the Menu button - Edit 911 to paste the compiled data into your OnTimeRx 911 Info.
To utilize the OTRx-Win desktop program for data entry beyond the 30-day trial period, a registration must be purchased separately from the Developer. See purchase details on the developer website or call or email support@OnTimeRx.com for further assistance.
About Us button:
Welcome to OnTimeRx®, your reminder system for all health-related activities. OnTimeRx® was designed by a pharmacist to remind each user to take all medications as prescribed - on time - every time. Medications will only work properly if they are taken properly. This reminder system can be invaluable, if it is used routinely. For best results, it is recommended that users respond to all reminders promptly.
DISCLAIMER: AmeliaPlex, Inc. assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or appropriateness of information entered in OnTimeRx reminder software by the end user. Since the information is owned and maintained by the User or his/her agent or health care professional, OnTimeRx software is not subject to HIPAA rules. No claims are made that the information and/or reminders entered by the user will be 100% accurate, reliable, or effective. No guarantee is made that the user’s data will not be lost due to unforeseen conditions that may disable the device or devices on which the software is being utilized. Every effort has been made to assure that OnTimeRx software will perform properly, but software is always sold “as is” and may not work on all devices or on any device that is damaged or has batteries that are not charged properly.
BASIC USER INSTRUCTIONS:
When an Alarm sounds and the Alarm screen displays:
• Read the screen.
• Do what the screen says.
• Tap YES to record the dose or event on the Log.
• Tap NO - if dose was not taken.
• Repeat above steps for all drugs or events scheduled at this time.
• Always check the Days Supply to avoid running out of pills.
Jitterbug has done an excellent job with their simple "senior-focused" cell phone. OnTimeRx employs this concept in the design of our automated medication reminder service. These two senior products are meant for each other!!
Life will be much simpler for the caregivers and family members when a senior is using these simple tools. It provides peace of mind and is a stress-reliever to boot!
We are not talking about a patient getting a "Credit" for unsatisfactory services rendered. I'm talking about patients not receiving credit for being capable of using technology in any of its many forms.
Au Contrare! There are thousands of "ordinary people" with extraordinary medical conditions and physical barriers who use OnTimeRx every day, and tell me they could not live without it.
Ron, a VA patient and long-time user of OnTimeRx software, called me recently to find out the latest news from OnTimeRx HQ. During our conversation, we were bemoaning the fact that most doctors move at a glacial pace when it comes to adopting new technology. He was especially frustrated because the VA has spent a lot of time and money developing the "My HealtheVet" website, but there are many other inexpensive and practical technology tools that could be used by veterans to ease their burdens and simplify their lives even more.
Ron said, " OnTimeRx works really well for me, and I've told all of my VA doctors about OnTimeRx repeatedly." He also wanted to know, "So why don't these doctors order a PDA with OnTimeRx for Traumatic Brain Injury patients - and others - to help them manage their medications and other treatments?"
Here's my theory: Doctors in general consider themselves to be pretty smart people; and rightly so. IF they are using a PDA, smart phone, or BlackBerry, it's my guess that they probably had a lot of trouble getting it set up and working properly. So, that being the case, they just naturally assume that patients who have less education and compromised mental skills would probably never be able to handle it. This is absolutely not true, but it's probably why the doctors don't even consider an inexpensive laptop, netbook or hand held computer (PDA) as an Assistive Device or Prosthesis for their patients.
Maybe it's time for VA patients with any kind of memory problems to start requesting this OnTimeRx software/hardware adherence solution and save everyone a lot of time, money and heartburn. For $23-$30 worth of software and $100 -$400 (depending on the hardware selected), any patient could improve his or her adherence rate and live better, with less stress, by using the technology that is readily available everywhere.
One of the presenters at the Silvers Summit at the January 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, was Michael Takemura, HP, Director of Accessibility & Aging Program.
This Summit was a special Senior-focused part of the CES tradeshow, that showcased the products and services that keep older adults engaged, entertained, connected, and healthy. Michael talked about the Microsoft/HP/ Senior PC offering (around 3:50 minutes into his video#2) and OnTimeRx was the "prescription reminder software" that he briefly mentioned. Michael also showcased OnTimeRx software in the HP exhibit and says it went over well. He also talked about the new new HP mini 1000 Netbook, and this little gem has tremendous potential for older patients, who prefer to age in place. Let me tell you why...
Back in the early days of hand held computers, PDAs were mainly used as organizers, but I always knew they made great assistive devices with OnTimeRx software onboard. Unfortunately, this technology and OnTimeRx software was about 10-15 years ahead of its time!
People are just now beginning to realize that Palms can do amazing things... just as Palm Corporation decides to stop making any more Palm OS devices!! However, there are over 40 million Palm devices out there somewhere (probably in desk drawers/deader than a doornail) but they could still be put to use as a reliable medication reminder.
But, as my son always says, I dye grass...
Say Hello to the adorable Netbook! This is the new "darling" in personal computing and for only $300-$400, I'm extremely excited about the amazing array of things it can do for seniors and their caregivers.
With an Internet connection in the Senior's home, the Netbook can be used to send and receive email, surf the Web, do online shopping, and basically stay in touch with the family through social networks like Twitter.
With a PCAnywhere type program installed, a family member can access the Netbook to check on compliance or change a medication schedule, and provide "tech support" remotely. It's almost as good as being there.
I'll tell you more things you can do with a Netbook, after I learn my way around a bit more.
Reminders can be a major stress-reliever. This blog explains when, why, and how to use reminders successfully with OnTimeRx software and automated reminder services. If you're like most people , you know it is NOT easy to take medications routinely and stay on a regular schedule!
WELCOME! This blog is for you... I will share practical suggestions and effective tools, based on my years of experience as a pharmacist.
